Gov. Rick Snyder appointed a former General Motors Corp. executive on Wednesday to take over the daunting job of emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools, tasking him with turning around a district that has battled financial problems and declining enrollment for more than a decade.

Roy Roberts, 72, will take over for Robert Bobb, who was named the school district's emergency financial manager by former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2009. Bobb's contract expired in March, but Snyder extended it through June.

"The number one priority is providing the children of the Detroit Public Schools with a quality education, and for that to happen the school district must be financially sound," Snyder said. "Roy Roberts' problem solving skills, expertise and strong management and leadership skills will be of tremendous benefit to the students, teachers, administrators and families of the Detroit Public Schools."

Roberts will have broader powers granted through a recent state law, including the ability to toss out union contracts as part of cost-cutting efforts. His contract is for one year and pays him $250,000.

"This is a mission for me. This is something I want to do," Roberts said after being introduced Wednesday at a news conference.

Bobb has closed dozens of schools, reworked vendor contracts and instituted other cost-cutting measures but has been unable to erase a massive budget deficit that now stands at more than $300 million. Detroit has lost about 100,000 students since 1997, when enrollment stood at 175,168.

In a statement, Bobb said Roberts is a strong choice for the job.

"His position as an icon in the African American community and in the City of Detroit will be of huge benefit to DPS and also a role model for DPS students," Bobb said.